MATSEC IM French exam-day guide
MATSEC IM French · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document the exam centre requires (typically a passport or Maltese ID card). Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Statement of entry / exam timetable slip
Bring the slip or letter showing your candidate number, subject, level and venue. Keep it with your ID so staff can check you in quickly.
Candidate number and centre details
Write your candidate number, the centre name and the session time on a small card. Confirm the exact venue and reporting time with your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board beforehand.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Use dark ink for all written answers. Bring a spare in case one fails; pencil is normally only for diagrams or as instructed on the paper.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for any diagram, table or rough work. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be crossed out or handed in.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require see-through storage so invigilators can check equipment. Confirm the centre's rules on what may be on the desk.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
A simple analogue watch helps you pace the reading, writing and checking phases. Smart watches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk; confirm with the provider.
Water in a clear bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated for a long paper. Confirm whether drinks are allowed at your centre and where they must be placed.
Know the paper structure and mark allocation
Re-read the specification for the level you are sitting (listening, reading, writing, and speaking where applicable) so you know how many sections there are and how marks are distributed. Confirm the current format with the provider.
Plan travel and arrival buffer
Arrive early enough to find the room and settle. Check transport times and any local disruptions the day before; confirm the required arrival time with the centre.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Devices brought into the exam room are usually collected or must be powered off and out of reach. Confirm the centre's exact policy.
French revision notes for the final review
Bring a short, single-sheet summary of connectors, tense endings, useful phrases and common traps. Leave longer notes at home to avoid last-minute overload.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue, reporting time, ID requirements and permitted equipment with your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board. Check the current paper format and timing so your practice matches the real thing.
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions, including the listening section if your level includes it. Mark it honestly and list your three weakest areas rather than re-reading everything.
Build a one-page French summary: connectors (d'abord, ensuite, cependant, donc, en revanche), tense endings for present, passé composé, imparfait and future, and 15–20 phrases for opinions, suggestions and formal writing.
Review only your summary sheet and corrected mistakes. Do a short listening or reading passage to keep French active, then stop. Avoid new material and late-night cramming.
Pack your bag: ID, statement of entry, pens, pencil, eraser, clear pouch, watch, water. Lay out clothes and check your route and wake-up time. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Hand in or switch off your phone as instructed before entering the room. Read your summary sheet once, calmly, then put it away.
Fill in your candidate details exactly as instructed. Read the front-page instructions and check the number of sections and marks. Spend a minute planning how long to give each section.
Read each question fully before answering, note the marks available and match the length of your answer to them. For listening, preview the questions before each recording and write key words as you listen. For reading, locate the relevant lines before drafting your answer in French.
Spend a few minutes planning structure and vocabulary, then write. Watch agreement, tense choice and accents, and leave time to re-read for verb endings and connectives.
Check that every question has an answer, that your candidate number is correct, and that you have not left answers in the wrong section. Cross out rough work if required, then stop writing immediately when told.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and your statement of entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if you arrive without them.
Arrive at the reporting time set by the centre. Late arrival may be refused entry or may not receive extra time; confirm the centre's late-arrival policy with the provider.
Mobile phones, smart watches and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession at the desk is normally treated as malpractice, so confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Only permitted equipment may be on the desk. Confirm with the provider whether dictionaries, calculators or rough paper are allowed for your level and paper.
Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to leave the room, need more paper or feel unwell. Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started.
Write in the language and format the paper requires, and answer the number of questions specified. Answers in the wrong language or extra questions may not be marked; confirm the marking rules with the provider.
Use only the time allowed. Stop writing immediately when instructed; continuing to write after the signal may be treated as malpractice. Confirm the centre's procedure with the provider.
If you believe there was a problem with the paper or conditions, tell the invigilator at the time and report it afterwards through your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board. Confirm the official appeals or special-consideration route with the provider.